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Lou Jimenez
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Lou Jimenez2025-11-26 18:01:072025-11-26 22:35:44A Growing City, a Shrinking Fire Department: Bethlehem Deserves Better
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Kyle Dolton
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Kyle Dolton2025-05-15 10:53:572025-05-15 21:19:16510 Flats Fire Response Demonstrates Professionalism and Resilience
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Mike Bullis
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Mike Bullis2025-03-31 19:19:022025-03-31 19:20:083-alarm fire in Bethlehem displaces residents, injures 2 firefighters
Bethlehem Firefighters IAFF Local 735 is dedicated to improving the safety, working conditions, and overall well-being of our members. We are committed to advocating for fair wages, hour, and benefits, while promoting unity and collective bargaining rights at all levels. Our mission includes fosteringstrong relationships amoung our members and enhancing the public’s understanding of the vital role we play in protecting our comminity. Together, we strive to ensure the highest of standards of service and saftey for both our firefighters and the citizens we proudly serve.
Local 735 serves four platoons on a rotating schedule: two 9-hour day shifts followed by two 15-hour night shifts, then four days off. Union members attend meetings while off-duty to stay involved and informed. We’re also proud to support our community through public events, charitable drives, and local outreach efforts.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a city rich in history and cultural significance. Covering an area of approximately 19 square miles, and it is home to a diverse population. One of Bethlehem’s most notable events is Musikfest, the nation’s largest free, non-gated music festival. In 2023, Musikfest celebrated its 40th anniversary with a record-breaking attendance of 1,330,000 people, featuring over 450 performers from 26 states and eight countries.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a critical component of public safety—when seconds count, our community depends on a rapid, skilled response. Since 2007, all members of our department have been required to hold EMT certification in order to meet Quick Response Service (QRS) standards.
While our firefighters do not staff ambulances directly, we support EMS operations in other essential ways. Ambulances are housed at Stations 1 and 6, and our personnel are responsible for driving these units to the hospital when needed. This integration was designed to expand coverage across a broader area of the city, enhancing service availability for residents.
At this time, paramedics are not represented under IAFF Local 735.
4th Platoon answered the call again tonight, suppressing a fully involved detached garage fire that went 2nd Alarm. Great work brothers and huge thanks to our BPD for the traffic control to get our incoming apparatus to the scene.
#IAFF #local735 #bethlehemsbravest #ppffa ... See MoreSee Less
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Lainey is the granddaughter of one of our brothers from Easton Professional Firefighters Local 713.
Beyond her grandfather’s service, both of Lainey’s parents proudly and honorably served in the United States Marine Corps. This family has dedicated so much of their lives to serving others, and now they are in need of our support.
Please take a moment to read Lainey’s story. Any help you’re able to provide toward expenses related to her care would be deeply appreciated.
Follow this link to COTA For Lainey - www.facebook.com/share/1EZTi19arD/?mibextid=wwXIfr ... See MoreSee Less
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**2nd Alarm** - Working fire in the 700 Block of East 6th Street between Buchanan and Atlantic. Please avoid the area for safety as our 1st Platoon work to knock it down. ... See MoreSee Less
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Ground and aerial images of the Atlantic Street fire courtesy of Lehigh Valley Breaking News
Good job to all involved for working with diligence and dedication to knock the fire out. Thank you all for your coordinated hard work and effort. ... See MoreSee Less
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**Working 2nd Alarm Fire - 700 Block of Atlantic Street**
Please avoid this area as our 2nd Platoon works to keep it under control and stay safe! ... See MoreSee Less
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**Delayed Shared Post** 4th Platoon responded to a residential fire with a well involved Charlie (rear) side and fire actively threatening the exposure structure Saturday night around 8pm, with initial response from Company 1 - Engines 1 and 3, Ladder 1, and Utility 2 in command. Companies went straight to work while the weather and fire conditions readily progressed the situation to 3rd Alarm. It was at this point that the remainder of the city's apparatus and crews were dedicated to the scene, requiring callout of other members to staff reserve apparatus.
After many cylinder changes and some frozen pack swaps, our crews were able to extinguish the fire fully. As always, a huge thank you to Nancy Run for lending us the much needed and greatly appreciated help with keeping our cylinders topped off when available. Good job to all involved for the work done in unfavorable conditions and staying safe while doing it.
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🇺🇸LOCAL 735 PRESIDENT LOU JIMENEZ SPEAKS OUT ON FIRE STAFFING CRISIS🇺🇸
Our Union President, Lou Jimenez, continues to lead the conversation on the staffing challenges facing the Bethlehem Fire Department and why addressing them is critical to public safety, firefighter safety, and overall wellness.
President Jimenez recently addressed these issues on a national labor podcast platform, helping bring attention to the real-world impacts of understaffing not just locally, but across the fire service.
This conversation will continue. Next month, President Jimenez will again speak on staffing, this time addressing the statewide staffing challenges facing firefighters across Pennsylvania. These issues extend far beyond one department and require serious discussion and action at every level.
Local 735 remains committed to advocating for responsible staffing levels that protect firefighters and the communities we serve. #IAFF #ppffa #local735 #staffingmatters 🇺🇸🚒
awf.labortools.com/listen/bethlehem-firefighters-push-for-safe-staffing-amid-rising-demand ... See MoreSee Less
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Tonight we welcomed two new members into our union.
They were sworn in and officially joined the ranks of firefighters committed to professionalism, solidarity, and protecting our community. We are proud to have them and look forward to serving alongside them.
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1st Platoon at work on a 2nd Alarm assignment on the South Side, leaving Engine 5 to cover the city for other calls for service.
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